Fantasy Preview: Coke Zero 400

The Sprint Cup Series heads under the lights at Daytona for the Coke Zero 400 on Saturday.  Read below to see who I'm picking this weekend.

Tier A

Photo courtesy Jared C. Tilton

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt has returned to his old form when he won six races in 2004, and he returns to the place of his first victory of the season.  All eyes will be on him for the Coke Zero 400, and I look for him to be strong Saturday night.

Bench:
Kurt Busch

Tier B
Casey Mears
Daytona is always a track where anyone can win, and Mears usually runs well at restrictor-plate tracks.  He's a guy that always seems to be there at the end of the race, and a top 10 finish would not be unexpected.

David Ragan
Ragan's first career victory came in this race in 2011, and his other victory came at Talladega.  Ragan is a good plate racer, and he, like Mears, is always around at the end of the race.  Add that to the fact that the team's cars are fast -- his teammate David Gilliland won the pole -- and Ragan could find himself in victory lane.

Bench:
Jamie McMurray
Ryan Newman

Tier C
Michael Waltrip
Waltrip only runs at the restrictor-plate tracks, so it's a no-brainer to save a better driver and pick him.  Waltrip almost won at Talladega two years ago, and he might be able to get his third Daytona victory on Saturday.

Bench:
Austin Dillon

My pick to win the Coke Zero 400...Jimmie Johnson

Photo courtesy Jerry Markland/Getty Images

The Coke Zero 400 is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST on TNT. 

Fantasy Preview: Talladega 5/3

This weekend, the Sprint Cup Series heads to Talladega for the first restrictor-plate race since the season-opening Daytona 500.

Tier A
Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Photo courtesy Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Earnhardt won the Daytona 500, so he should be strong at the other restrictor-plate track on the schedule.  Earnhardt used to be extremely good at Talladega, but he hasn't won there since 2004.  He did finish second in the last trip there in the fall, so look for Earnhardt to be strong this weekend.

Bench:
Kevin Harvick

Tier B
Greg Biffle
Biffle has been strong during restrictor-plate races, and he finished eighth in the Daytona 500.  Dating back to 2011, Biffle has finished in the Top 15 in every race at Talladega, with the exception of this race last year when he finished 36th.

Tony Stewart
Stewart is always a threat to win at any restrictor-plate track, and he is definitely due for a victory.  Though he has never won the Daytona 500, he is always strong at Talladega, and almost won last year before taking out the entire field.  He is definitely hungry for a win, so I expect him to run well this weekend.

Bench:
Paul Menard
Ryan Newman

Tier C
Michael Waltrip
Waltrip almost pulled off a major upset last year, and I wouldn't be surprised if he does it again this year.  I usually stick with Waltrip as a fantasy pick for restrictor-plate tracks because those are the only races he's in the car and it's a solid pick.  I look for him to finish in the Top 10 this weekend.

Bench:
Austin Dillon

My pick to win the Aaron's 499: Tony Stewart

Photo courtesy Patrick Smith/Getty Images

That's all for this week!  Leave a comment below with who you're picking this weekend, and be sure to catch the Aaron's 499 this Sunday from Talladega Superspeedway at 1:00 p.m. EST, only on FOX.

First 2012 Aaron's Commercials Rolling Out

With less than a week before the Budweiser Shootout, the NASCAR season is almost upon us!  Today, the first four Aaron's commercials came out featuring Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip.  Here's a collection of the first four commercials; "Wound Tight," "Above Me," "Not Like Me," and "Salsa."



"Wound Tight"

"Above Me"

"Not Like Me"

"Salsa"

Well, I know these commercials have made me excited for the start of the 2012 NASCAR Season, and it's almost here!